Electronic Links to GPs and Primary Care The St. James’s Experience Martin Buckley, Manager Information Management Services (IMS). St. James’s hospital. HISI Conference 16 th Nov. 2005
Early beginnings n 2000 n Started pilot project with the South Inner City of Dublin Partnership in Primary Care. (SICP). n n (52 GPs in 29 Practices) (20 PHNs ; 5 Physio. ; 15 OTs) Main Objectives n Develop a Secure E-mail framework. Ø n (using Digital Certificates, Encryption, etc. ) Initial Messages. n Referrals and Discharge letter
Key Milestones n 2001 n Secure e-mail in place. n n n GP to GP ; GP to Hospital ; GP to Community Clinic. limited use, but strong motivation to continue. 2002 n n Renamed: Primary Care e. Team Project Additional partners n n n Eastern Health Shared Services South Western Area Health Board South City Community Nursing Services
Key Milestones n 2003 n EHSS Support Services n n Digital Certificates (Digi-sign , Class 2). Managed services for GPs n n n Secure e-mail server ; Practice management server. Technical support St. James’s Secure Extranet n n n Radiology reports OPD appointment details Community Nurse Referrals
Key Milestones n 2004 n Participation in HSE (He. BE) GP Messaging Group. n n Assisted with HL 7 message definitions. Decision to join Healthlink Online. n Development of laboratory message.
Current position n Secure E-mail. n n Secure SJH Extranet. n n n GP to GP GP to Community Clinics (e. g. Meath, Baggot Street). GP referrals to St. James’s OPD Clinics: 547 Active GPs: 25 OPD Clinic appointment details: Radiology Reports (in HL 7 format): PHN Referrals: 1, 086 1, 007 1, 409 Healthlink (since Aug. 2005). n Active GPs: 50 n Laboratory results: 8, 500
SECURE E-MAIL / MESSAGING INFRASTRUCTURE SJH HOSPITAL DATABASES SJH EXTRANET PHYSIO. O. T. s HEALTHLINK PHNs GPs EHSS Digital IDs Secure Email Physio; O. T. s Comm. Nursing OTHER GPs Community CLINICS SJH OPD REFERRALS
e. Team’s Unique Focus n n Involves all members of the primary care Team. Secure electronic communication n within teams and between teams and hospitals. Forms basis for Virtual Primary Care Teams.
Planned Next Steps n Extend Healthlink messages n n Dec. 2005. Mar. 2006. Extend SJH Extranet n n n Radiology Discharge Summary Other messages Physiotherapy referrals Occupational Therapy Support for Virtual primary care teams.
Lessons learned n Challenges n n Multi-agency collaboration. Emerging Technology / standards. Process changes. Main Drivers / Success factors n n Buy-in and enthusiasm of GPs and Primary care team. Single umbrella partnership structure for South Inner City. National initiatives on Data standards and Interoperability (HL 7). Valuable part of the overall relationship with the Hospital. (GP Liaison group, website, other services).
Thank You!